Monday, 28 November 2016

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a plea to shift RJD leader Mohammad Shahabuddin, facing trial in 45 criminal cases, from Siwan jail in Bihar to the national capital's Tihar jail.

"Ensuring free and fair trial against the strongman while protecting the witnesses is a challenge for the judiciary," the top court said.

A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Amitav Roy said it would take a call on Tuesday whether to shift Shahabuddin out of Siwan jail and and whether trial in all cases against him should be held in Delhi.

"This is a kind of situation that tests the justice delivery system in the country and also tests witness protection scheme," the bench said, asking senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Shahabuddin, to come prepared to argue the case.

The court was hearing a plea filed by the victims' families alleging that free and fair trial against him was not possible if he remained in a jail in Bihar. They alleged that witnesses would not be able to depose against the controversial leader with his goons threatening them.